Monday 18 April 2016 Issue 3289

News................................p1, p2, p4, p5Cruising Today................................. p3Amadeus .......................................... p6

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I n c o r p o r a t i n g Ta b s o n Tr a v e l

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‘Hangry’ Flight DisruptPolice were called to board an Air New Zealand flight which had touched down in Shanghai, ex Auckland, after a passenger had a meltdown over her in-flight meal. Reports say the woman ‘nearly caused a riot’ after the airline did not provide her with the meal she wanted. The matter is now with police.

Disney Fan’s Mad TripAnyone who knows a Disney fan or has seen them at the parks will know their relationship with the brand can get a little, shall we say, in-tense—but this fan took it to another level. Christopher Wing set himself the challenge of visiting every Dis-ney theme park in the world in less than 80 hours, and achieved it with five hours to spare. Starting at Dis-neyland, he headed to Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort and back to Disneyland, with time for just a ride or two at each park. Presumably he’ll have to attempt the feat again when Shanghai Disneyland opens. Check out highlights from his trip HERE

With growing numbers of Kiwis having now visited Hawaii and air capacity set to further increase, Hawaii Tourism is looking to promote the island as a repeat destination—which will be a key focus at the upcoming Aloha Down Under (ADU) roadshow.A record number of Hawaii industry partners are heading to New Zea-land and Australia next month for the annual ADU, says Hawaii Tour-ism’s Darragh Walshe.“The 22-strong delegation reflects the increased impact of our Kiwi visitor numbers to Hawaii which last year surpassed 60,000 arrivals,” says Walshe.As arrivals have increased, the aver-age number of times that Kiwis have visited Hawaii has been trending upwards for the past year or so too, and is now at just under three.The challenge is now in selling Hawaii as a repeat destination, and ‘that’s pretty much what this year’s ADU is about’, says Walshe. Around 18,000 Kiwis v isited a Neighbour Island last year, and the islands see the value in the Kiwi market so are well-repre-sented within the ADU delegation.

“We’ll be giving agents the tools to promote Hawaii as six differ-ent and unique islands,” he says, adding that there will be a focus on giving agents ‘a greater depth of understanding in how each is-land is different in what they offer’.Hawaii is also set for further capac-ity growth from New Zealand this year, with the arrival of Air New Zealand’s Dreamliner on the Auck-land-Honolulu route. “In the past our growth has either been the same or out-performed airlift growth, and if there is airlift growth in the marketplace our aim is to meet that growth in visitor numbers as well,” says Walshe.

. . . The ShowInvitations are currently being sent out for the roadshow event, on 09 May in Auckland and Wellington. The delegation includes a host of industry partners heading to New Zealand for the first time, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Kauai at Coconut Beach; Courtyard Marriott Oahu North Shore; Diamond Head Luau; Battleship Missouri Memo-rial; and Kualoa Ranch.

Record Aloha Down Under Delegation

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News & Product

KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS COMING BACK

THE TAAP TOP TENThe 10 most popular destinations booked by New Zealand travel agents through TAAP for MAR16:

1 Auckland 2 Sydney 3 London 4 Melbourne 5 Fiji

6 Christchurch 7 Queenstown 8 San Francisco 9 Singapore 10 Los Angeles

KEY: AMER (USA/Can); Asia; EMEA (Euro/Mid East/Africa); LATAM (Latin America); Oceania (NZ/Australia).

Your great service and our great rates, keep your customers coming back.

TAAP reported a strong trading month for March. A huge 553 different destinations were booked by NZ Agents in March. The top destinations booked through Expedia TAAP NZ were Auckland, Sydney, London, Melbourne, Fi j i , Christchurch, Queens town , San F r anc i sco , S ingapo re and Los Ange les . Wellington. New York and Hong Kong were just outside the top 10. Oceania remained the dominant destination dropping slightly to 37%. Asia down slightly to 16%, AMER steady at 19% and EMEA up to 26%. LATAM steady at 2%. Some of the out of the way destinations booked last month include Wuxi China, St Petersburg Russia, Saginaw MI and Poznan Poland.

P s s s t t t . . .

WatchTV3 again tonight7.30pm

SEE PAGE 6

LAN Direct To La PazLAN will begin operating four direct flights per week between Santiago and La Paz, Bolivia from 04 Jul, on a Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri. The new direct flight will shorten the five-hour journey time of the current itinerary (which requires a stop in Iquique) to around three hours. The airline will continue to operate services via Iquique with two flights per week to Santa Cruz and a weekly flight to La Paz.

CLICK HERE

To Canberra Or SingaporeWin double return tickets ex-Wellington to either Singapore or Canberra on Singapore Airlines, with 2 winners drawn each week. Be in to win with the Singapore Airlines Wellington to the World incentive.

Win Free Flights For 2

EasyJet Takeover BidLow-cost carrier EasyJet is reportedly considering a surprise takeover bid for rival airline Monarch. EasyJet would be up against other bidders including China’s HNA Group, however they would only be allowed to take a 49% stake due to foreign ownership rules, while EasyJet can bid for 100% of the carrier, say reports.

Smart Gates For DXB?A proposed new smart immigration gate at Dubai airport terminals will allow registered passengers through by just scanning their eyes, with no need to scan or check passports or e-Gate cards, advises Dubai Tourism. It added that the proposal is still in the planning stages and is not opera-tional at the moment.

Free Wi-Fi In BNE Brisbane City Council now offers free wireless internet (Wi-Fi) access in 22 parks and public spaces across Brisbane, as well as the Queen Street Mall, Reddacliff Place, Victoria Bridge, South Bank Parklands, Valley Malls, Mt Coot-tha Summit Lookout, Bris-bane Libraries and on CityCats.Council is currently expanding the service across the Brisbane Central Business District (CBD) and into the popular James Street precinct in New Farm, allowing everyone to stay con-nected as they move anywhere across the CBD. To find out how to access free Wi-Fi in city hotspots CLICK HERE

NZ Fiji On SaleAir New Zealand has $200 off economy class, $300 off premium economy and $500 off business class flights to Fiji when booked as a return journey from any NZ-ser-viced domestic airport, for sales to 21 Apr. Wholesale fares are available for sales to 26 Apr.

Softness in demand in Australia has seen Qantas revise downwards its planned capacity additions for the coming months, the carrier has said in a statement to the stock exchange.“Some softness in demand, related to the upcoming federal election and recent drop in consumer confidence in Australia, began to emerge over the peak Easter and school holiday period in late Mar and continued to be seen in forward bookings in Apr and May,” says the carrier.QF domestic capacity growth for the final quarter will now be negative compared to the prior correspond-ing period, and will be 0.5 to 1% for the second half of the financial year, instead of a planned 2% growth.

From mid-Apr, international capac-ity to the US has been reduced by removing three Sydney-Los Angeles services and re-directing capacity to Singapore and Hong Kong, adds QF. The changes will result in 6% capaci-ty growth to the US, compared to 9%.Overall total QF group capacity is expected to increase 5-6% in the sec-ond half of the financial year.

JAWS Prize-WinnersJAWS organisers have announced the major prize-winners from the roadshow events and say they were pleased with the turn-out by agents this year.“The JAWS roadshow went very well this year, with some venues exceeding expectations and some meeting our predictions based on the previous years,” says organiser Jacqui Brook of the Walshe Group. “Feedback from the attendees was very positive and overall we were pleased with the turnout and the new venues.”The major prize winners were: Aimee Ruka, Flight Centre Kerikeri, won China Airlines flights to Australia; Natalie Langley, STA Dunedin, won Aircalin flights; Elaine Casey, Air New Zealand broker, won a $200 Expedia voucher; Melissa McCrone, Flight Centre Queensgate, won Air Vanuatu flights; Will Chapman, STA Wellington, won Fiji Airways flights; Marianne Glasgow, House of Trav-el Rotorua, won Air France/KLM flights ex Asia or US to Europe; Cindy Blakewell, NZ Travel Brokers and Lisa Scott, YOU Bethlehem each won a four-night stay at the Scenic Matavai Resort; and Uma Te Kani, World Travellers Northland, won a three-day package at Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Safari Camp in Thailand.

QF Eases Back Capacity Growth

Mon 18 Apr 16 Page 3

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It’s Big In FloridaIn 2107 Florida will be home year-round to the three largest cruise ships in the world—Royal Caribbean’s Harmony and Allure of the Seas in Ft Lauderdale and Oasis of the Seas in Port Canaveral. The cruise company says this will provide guests with more convenient access.

New Fiji Dive SiteCaptain Cook Cruises Fi j i has launched a new dive wreck, ‘Raiyawa’, situated off the island of Tivua, which avid divers can explore as part of its Tivua Island day cruise. It is priced at FJD209 per adult and FJD138 per child, with many inclusions, with the diving available at an additional cost.

Disney Cruise Line has unveiled its new itineraries for the (north-ern) summer of 2017, including first-time visits to new destina-tions in Alaska and Europe, in ad-dition to a return to Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.For the first time, the line will take clients to Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier as part of a new nine-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder; whilst a new seven-night Alaska sailing from Vancouver in-cludes a call on Icy Strait Point—which offers a variety of nature

adventures, including one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world.New for Europe is Amsterdam, which clients can visit on a 15-night trans-atlantic crossing for Port Canaveral to Copenhagen; or a 10-night northern Europe itinerary that departs from Copenhagen and sails to Dover. Clients will also have the chance to visit another new Disney destination, Portland, England, which is just a short distance from Stonehenge.Meanwhile, the Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral on longer itineraries for the first time, with new 10- and 11-night cruises to the southern Caribbean; and select Disney Dream sailings from Port Canaveral will include two stops at the line’s private island, Castaway Cay. See disneycruise.com

Another Avalon LaunchAvalon Waterways christened its newest Suite Ship, the 83-cabin Ava-lon Passion, on the Danube last week, just one week after launching Avalon Imagery II (christened by New Zea-lander Judy Bailey) on the Rhine. The two newly built ships offer two entire decks of all-suite accommodation and 30% more cabin space than the industry average, says Avalon.

What’s New For Disney Cruise Line

Carnival’s Wildlife FocusCarnival Corporation has partnered with the US Wildlife Trafficking Alli-ance in a bid to reduce the purchase and sale of illegal wildlife products in the US. Carnival will provide educa-tion, awareness and training for its 120,000 employees on the identifica-tion of illegal wildlife products and the harm created by this trade; whilst it will also provide awareness of wildlife crime to its 11 million cruise guests across its 10 brands; and it will also work with its vendors and suppliers to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.

Princess’ Kiwi HighlightsPrincess Cruises has marked the launch of its latest cruise programme by releasing a video capturing a ship’s-eye view of one of its cruises around New Zealand. The time-lapse video follows Golden Princess on a 13-night voyage. Watch the video, HERE

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News & Product

Hurry, sale ends midnight 21 April

2016

Say Bula to friendly Fiji with $200 off Economy class, $300 off Premium Economy and $500 off Business class return airfares.

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Book your clients todayTravel periods and conditions apply, visit airnzagent.co.nz

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Former TTC Boss PassesMike Ness, former chief executive of The Travel Corporation, has passed away. Ness held several executive roles within TTC, including managing director of Trafalgar as well as TTC chief executive, from which he retired in 2010. Ness remained a director of TTC until he passed away, and was a ‘mainstay of the travel industry’, says TTC founder and chairman Stanley Tollman.“His drive, tenacity and vi-sion for the company throughout our five decades of working together were a vital component in creating the suc-cess that TTC is today,” he says.

EK Aussie FaresGO Holidays has packages with return business class airfares to Sydney from Auckland or Christ-church or Melbourne from Auckland flying Emirates, for sales to 26 Apr and travel 27 Apr-31 Mar 2017. Two nights Sydney is from $1499pp s/d; and two nights Melbourne is from $1399pp s/d. GO has further details.

Helloworld’s Queenstown DebutHelloworld has opened its first store in Queenstown this week. The helloworld executive team visited to celebrate the opening of helloworld 5 Mile. Pictured is (back) Donna Kermode, Andrew Harrison, Simon McKearney, store owner Andrew Carmody, Kathryn Kennedy, Jason Buckley, Andrew Dale, David Li-beau, and (front) travel expert Zoe Fowler and Vicky Lowe.

Most of Ecuador’s airports are operating again following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the coast this weekend—one of a number of quakes over several days.Japan, Vanuatu and Tonga were also impacted by earthquakes, although Ecuador was the worst hit, with the death toll thought to be at least 238 so far.The quake struck between the Manabi and Esmeraldas provinces. The coast-al region of Ecuador is not a popular destination for Kiwi tourists, who tend to head to the Galapagos Islands, Quito and the surrounding highlands, and the Amazon Jungle, says Viva Ex-peditions’ Rachel Williams.Guayaquil’s international airport was closed because of a lack of com-munications but now appears to be operating, so clients are able to con-nect with flights to the Galapagos

Islands, says Williams. Some delays can be expected.

. . . Other QuakesTonga was hit by a magnitude 6.1 quake on Sat evening; while both Vanuatu and Japan were struck by magnitude 6.5 quakes on Fri. How-ever scientists have reportedly said the quakes are unlikely to be linked to each other.

Quakes In Ecuador, Japan, Tonga

NZ Wholesale NorfolkAir New Zealand has released wholesale fares to Norfolk Island, for sales to 26 Apr. Wholesalers have details.

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News & Product

IndustryDiary

APRILAvalon Waterways 2017 LaunchAuckland, North: Tue 19, Takapuna Boating Club, 1745. Christchurch: Tue 19, Dux Central, 1745. Invercargill: Wed 20, Kelvin Hotel, 1730. Queenstown: Thu 21, Copthorne Hotel, 1745. Nelson: Wed 27, Monaco Resort, 1730. Blenheim: Thu 28, Watery Mouth Cafe, 1730.

Asia Road Show: Cathay Pacific/Adventure World/ Exodus Breakfast updateWellington: Thu 21, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, 0730 – 0830.

Wendy Wu Tours Update & ‘Jungle Book’ film eveningChristchurch: Wed 27, Hoyts Riccarton, 1745. Wellington: Thu 28, The Embassy Theatre, 1800. Auckland: Thu 28, Rialto Newmarket, 1800.

Adventure World, Exo Travel and Accor Hotels Vietnam MasterclassAuckland: Wed 27, Mercure Auckland, 1730-1930.

Hawaiian Airlines Agent TrainingAuckland: Tue 28, Rydges Hotel, 0930-1030, 1100-1200, 1330-1430, 1500-1600.

MAYSPANTO roadshowHamilton: Tue 03, Ferrybank Reception Centre, 1730.Palmerston North & New Plymouth: TBA

Viva Expeditions and Chimu Adventures Experience Sth AmericaAuckland: Thu 12, Takapuna Boat Club, 1730-2000.

Adventure World Latin ExtravaganzaAuckland: Thu 12, Air New Zealand CICC, 1730-2030.

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Paris Rail On SaleUntil 03 May prices for point-to-point tickets on Lyria, Alleo, Thalys and France-Spain High Speed rail services start from $31 pp as part of a #ParisWeLoveYou campaign. The discounted fares are available to selected destinations and agents can also pass on a 20% discount across all of the France Rail Pass products to their clients. Those with clients travel-ling London-Paris 04 Jul-31 Aug can also take advantage of one-way fares from $68 off-peak and from $93 peak. Prices are based on return trips. Rail Plus and GO Holidays have details.

Introducing CzechiaIt gets cal led ever y thing from Czechoslovakia to Czecho to Czech-land, and now the Czech Republic is hoping to make it easier for for-eigners to remember its name—by changing it to Czechia. “Our hope is that this step will overcome the problems we face with distorting the name and that the correct terms will dissolve into general knowledge,” the country’s foreign ministry has been quoted as saying. The Czech Republic is seeking a formal change in the UN database of country names.

One of the wettest winters in more than four years, means the waterfal ls and w ildflow-ers of Yosemite National Park are spectacular, says Yosemite Experience. Visitors need to come early in the season to see the fall at their fullest including Horsetail Fall, Ribbon Fall and the iconic Yosemite Falls, whose multiple cascades can be seen from numerous places around the valley. Yosemite Falls moonbow or lunar rainbow, is visible on a clear spring night with a full moon and guided photography tours are available. To see rainbows during the day, check out Vernal or Bridalveil Fall, when sunlight hits the mist below the falls and creates a kaleidoscope of beau-tiful colors.A return in rainfall also means a return in some of the area’s best at-tractions such as whitewater rafting with guided half-day or full-day ex-cursions down the Merced River to experience class IV whitewater rap-ids. Best time for whitewater rafting is typically Apr-Jun. Wildflowers are also making a big return this spring. The famous wildflowers of the Wild and Scenic Merced River are blazing colour along the canyon in shades of poppy orange, amethyst lupine and magenta redbuds, says the bureau. Beginning in late Apr and early May, delicate white dogwood blooms begin budding all over Yosemite Val-ley. Spring is the best time for taking guided nature walks to explore the beautiful profusions of wildflowers and enjoy the return of dozens of species of songbirds.Families can also explore Yosemite under the starry sky on the Night Prowl guided adventure, taking

Yosemite Waterfalls And Wildflowers

place April through November, with permitting weather conditions.Details, yosemiteexperience.com

Win A Trip With DominicClients who book any Air New Zealand flight departing on or before 30 Jun will go in the draw to win a trip to Los Angeles with Dominic Bowden. All NZ ticketed and oper-ated flights are eligible to win. See airnzagent.co.nz

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More ABs ChicagoAll Blacks Tours has received a new allocation of 100 two-night packages and 40 five-night packages for the Chicago tour. A two-night land only Chicago weekender is from $2095pp; and a five-night Chicago and all the jazz package is from $4095pp. See allblackstours.com

Yatule Kids Eat FreeYatule Resort and Spa is offering a family special for sales to 30 Jun and travel to 14 Oct, when staying a minimum of four nights, says Eye 4 Travel. Clients can stay in one of the seven Family Bures and save up to 25%. The offer includes breakfast daily for two adults and two children, Yatule Welcome Pack, kids 12 and under dine free when dining with parents, use of kayaks and snorkeling gear, free Wi-Fi in public area, FJD200 F&B credit per bure, and for $150 each there’s un-limited massages at Spa Vishala. Eye 4 Travel has details.

Fiji: Confidence HighTourism Fiji says recent weather events such as Cyclone Winston ha-vent dampened buyer confidence in the destination, as it closes registra-tions for the Fiji Tourism Expo com-ing to Denarau next month.With more than 160 international buyers and media heading to the event, ‘buyer confidence in Fiji re-mains consistently high’, says the NTO. FTE is on 03-05 May.

Blue Train Leading In LuxuryThe Blue Train has been named as Africa’s Leading Luxury Train at the World Travel Awards for the eighth consecutive year, advises Adventure World. Clients can experience The Blue Train on Adventure World’s two-day itinerary travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town. It is priced from $1472pp.

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Travel Today, Monday 18 April 2016 Page 6